Microchip recently released the PIC32MZ-W1 wireless MCU along with 20 other WiFi parts, including WiFi MCUs, link controllers, network controllers, and plug-and-play modules. Among them, the PIC32MZ-W1 wireless MCU is the most interesting because of its 32-bit MIPS microAptiv M-class core running at up to 200MHz, advanced hardware security features, and integrated Microchip Trust Platform for secure cloud authentication.
Over the years ESP32 MCUs have become the go-to choice for wireless applications. Still, one problem we always have with ESP32 SoCs is their limited GPIO option due to their strapped-out pin structures. But this new MCU has over 60 GPIO pins to work with along with Ethernet MAC, USB, CAN Bus, CANFD, SPI, I2C, SQI, UART, ADC, JTAG, and more.
PIC32MZ-W1 wireless MCU specifications
- MCU
- MIPS32 M-Class core clocked at 200 MHz
- 16KB I-Cache, 16KB D-Cache
- microMIPS mode (up to 35% smaller code size)
- DSP extensions (4x 64-bit accumulators, single-cycle MAC)
- Memory
- PIC32MZ1025W104 – 1MB Flash, 64KB Boot Flash, 256KB SRAM
- PIC32MZ2051W104 – 2MB Flash, 128KB Boot Flash, 512KB SRAM
- 64KB/128KB Data Buffer (DBF)
- Connectivity
- Integrated 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
- Supports Infrastructure and Soft-AP modes
- WPA3 Personal (SAE and PMF-802.11w) security
- WPA2 Personal (WPA compatibility and PMF options)
- WEP support
- 1x Ethernet MAC (10/100 Mbps with RMII and PTP)
- Peripherals
- Up to 62 GPIO pins
- 12-bit ADC (2 MSPS, up to 20 channels) with touch-sensing support
- 2x CAN 2.0B (with CAN FD)
- 3x UART (up to 10 Mbps)
- 2x SPI (up to 40 MHz)
- 1x SQI (configurable as SPI)
- 1x Full-Speed USB 2.0 (Host/Device)
- 2x I2C (up to 1 Mbps, SMBus support)
- 7x 16-bit timers/counters (or up to 3x 32-bit)
- 4x Output Compare (OC) modules
- 4x Input Capture (IC) modules
- Security
- Hardware-accelerated crypto engine (AES, 3DES, SHA, MD5, HMAC)
- Hardware-accelerated public key cryptography (ECC, ECDSA, Ed25519)
- True Random Number Generator (TRNG)
- Debugging
- MIPS Enhanced JTAG interface
- IEEE 1149.2-compatible (JTAG) boundary scan
- Misc
- Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC)
- 8-channel DMA with automatic data size detection
- Programmable 32-bit CRC
- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS)
- Power
- Operating Voltage – 2.97V to 3.63V
- Low-power modes – Dream, Sleep, Deep Sleep, Extreme Deep Sleep
- Ultra-low power consumption in Extreme Deep Sleep
- PIC32MZ1025W104132: 0.71 µA (typical)
- PIC32MZ2051W104132: 1.11 µA (typical)
- Operating Temperature – -40°C to +85°C
- Package – 132-pin DQFN (10 mm x 10 mm)
Microchip provides various software and tools to make the development process easier for the PIC32MZ-W1 family. The MPLAB Harmony v3 integrated software framework features ready-to-use libraries for TCP/IP, USB, graphics, and touch sensing. It also supports popular RTOS kernels like FreeRTOS and embOS, and includes middleware for connectivity with services like Apple MFi and Android. Additionally, you have the option to use a C/C++ compiler with native DSP and fractional math support, along with tools for over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates, which simplifies long-term maintenance and upgrades.
Alongside the MCU the company has also released two new development boards. The PIC32MZ-W1 and WFI32 2.0 Curiosity Board based on the PIC32MZ-W1 wireless MCU features a mikroBUS socket for expansion, a PICkit on-board programmer/debugger, and supports Ethernet PHY daughter boards. The PIC32 WFI32E Curiosity Board on the other hand uses the WFI32E01PC module which is also based on the PIC32MZ-W1 SoC. This board also has mikroBUS, PICkit, and Ethernet. Additionally, this board features more GPIO pins and additional microphones. It comes with Azure certification, AWS FreeRTOS certification, and Amazon Frustration-Free Setup certifications. This board is designed for IoT applications with cloud connectivity and voice control.
Some other products include Plug-and-Play Wireless Modules which feature an Embedded TCP/IP stack, Trust&GO secure element, and Integrated power amplifier and can be controlled over the UART interface, the company also mentions they have Global certification for this product. WINCS02 network controller along with its development board, and WILCS02 link controller also comes with its development board. Microchip also announced a wide range of Wi-Fi front-end modules, power amplifiers, and low-noise amplifiers, compatible with various Wi-Fi standards (a/b/g/n/ac) and suitable for applications like IoT devices, access points, and industrial monitoring.
The PIC32MZ-W1 MCU is priced at $6.90 in single units on the Microchip store, while the development board costs $84.00. More information about the product, including purchasing information, datasheet, and other information can be found on Microchip’s products page, and some additional information may also be available on the press release.
Debashis Das is a technical content writer and embedded engineer with over five years of experience in the industry. With expertise in Embedded C, PCB Design, and SEO optimization, he effectively blends difficult technical topics with clear communication
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I wouldn’t touch Microchip even if their products were free. During the pandemic they ran out of everything, and we could not ship any products. Yet during that same time Espressif had no problems suppling parts. With our doors about to close, we started switching all our products over to using Espressif and saved the company.
Microchip, is a joke.
So you wouldn’t touch Microchip with a 10ft soldering iron.
I wouldn’t touch Microchip with your soldering station.
These “MCU”s have an MMU. I wonder if you can fit a real, but tiny, OS on this board.
Check out litebsd: https://github.com/sergev/LiteBSD
I hoped they’d add Bluetooth to this so that Espressif would have a competitor.
I’ve seen the clock settings on the harmony 3 and it has a Bluetooth module. I don’t know if it’s for future use. In the meantime, you could use the WBZ451PE